You can make your schedule in a custody calendar so it's easy to see each parent's time. You can include your calendar in your agreement, but you may also want to write your schedule out in legal terms.

You can also include schedule provisions in your agreement to help make your schedule work better and run more smoothly.

Virginia policies about custody and visitation

You should consider these policies as you create your custody and visitation schedule::

The court determines custody schedules based on the best interest of the child

The schedule should give both parents frequent and continuing contact with the child

Both parents are encouraged to share in the responsibilities of rearing their child

When awarding custody, the court has no presumption in favor of either parent

A parent who is relocating must give 30 days advance written notice to the court and the other parent

Standard visitation schedule

Virginia has no standard visitation schedule that the court will order if the parents don't agree on a schedule.

If parents go to court to have a judge decide on the schedule, the judge will make a schedule that is in the best interest of the child and gives both parents frequent and continuing contact with the child.

Mediation and court

If parents can't negotiate and agree on a visitation schedule, the judge may order then to go to mediation before going to court.

In mediation, the parents will work with a neutral third party to help them work out a schedule they both support.

If parents go to court, each parent will be able to show the judge a proposed schedule and explain why it is in the best interest of the child. The judge can accept either parent's schedule or make a new schedule. The parents must follow the schedule the judge determines.